The Salvation Army Deploys Additional Disaster Staff and Volunteers

Largest-scale activation since Hurricane Katrina

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Aug. 31) – The Salvation Army has activated all its trained disaster relief teams in the United States and Canada and is beginning to mobilize teams in Mexico. Every team being deployed to Texas is providing food, hydration, cleanup kits, hygiene supplies, and emotional and spiritual care to first responders and survivors.

To assist with relief efforts, The Salvation Army has deployed 74 mobile feeding units throughout Texas and set up two field kitchens in the Houston area. Each mobile feeding unit can serve up to 1,500 meals per day, and each field kitchen can serve up to 15,000 meals per day. Also, mobile shower units have been delivered to the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.

“The size and scope of the impacted area are so vast that the rescue and relief efforts are different from other disasters in recent years,” said Lt. Col. Ronnie Raymer, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army in Texas. “We haven’t activated our entire national network of trained disaster staff and volunteers to this scale since Hurricane Katrina.”

Snapshot of Service Along the Gulf Coast (as of Aug. 31)

Served 156,893 meals, snacks and food boxes

Provided 9,130 hours of employee and volunteer service

Distributed 1,322 comfort kits

Provided emotional and spiritual care to 7,996 first responders and survivors

“Response efforts to this catastrophic weather event will be costly and last for years,” said Lt. Col. Ron Busroe, The Salvation Army’s National Community Relations and Development Secretary. “With generous public support, The Salvation Army will be here to help the millions affected by Hurricane Harvey for as long as they’re in need.”

The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for more than 135 years in the U.S. More than 25 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. For every dollar donated to The Salvation Army, 82 cents is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). For more information, go to SalvationArmyUSA.org or follow on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.